What an event...! No words could describe it! Both Craig and Neil
certainly hit the nail on the head. The first annual Bass Pro Shops
Youth Trial, held this last weekend on Whippoorwill Plantation, was
indeed one of the highlights of the year. If any of you readers ever
begins to forget why we are all so thrilled to be in the field with
bird dogs, all you need to do is attend a trial like this one. If I
ever had more fun at a field trial in the last 35 years, I can't
remember it. I heard that same comment from many of the adults in
attendance. Both days were spectacular. A walking stake was held to
kick off the event and then a horseback event was run on both Sat. and
Sun. Of course, the stars of the show were the scores of kids that
came to participate, but the stars were the dogs. All of the dogs
seemed to sense the importance of their jobs and their performances
were spectacular. One example would be Wippoorwill Big Shot, Huffman's
big motor, all-age dog who turned into a foot-hunting, bird-finding
cover dog machine for two days, Tip, as he is called, ran for at least
8 different kids over the two days and he pointed more than 40 coveys.
A number of other dogs also did double and triple duty, running for
one kid and then another. A dog named Shoestring from Fitch Farms and
in the string of Randy Downs, ran one brace for five young girls that
called themselves the Dixie Chicks. What a scene, to see all five
flushing birds for this stylish young pointer. Shoestring ran both
days for a number of different kids putting down a great performance
every time.
The more than three hours of video I captured is nothing but
priceless. Some of this footage may appear on Bass Pro Shops TV show
during the next year and other featured pieces will appear in the
upcoming 2005 National Championship Tape. A write-up and photo layout
will also be sent to the American Field and a related story with lots
of pics will appear in the May issue of Covey Rise.
Bobby Alexander, his entire family, Rick & Kay Carlisle with others
from the plantation like Mark Shires & Ryan Bradoc came to assist and
all were a great help. Larry Garner and his charming wife were present
for the entire trial and they had all the kids involved with a Tracker
scavenger hunt. The entire Huffman clan, numbering more than a dozen,
combined with Linda and Bill Hunt to make this one of the most
wonderful events I have ever attended. The one thing I learned for
certain is that if these kids and this event are any indication, the
future of field trials is indeed very bright. Brad Harter
Kids, dogs, and field trials
-
gunner
- Rank: 4X Champion
- Posts: 603
- Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 2:47 pm
- Location: Indianapolis, IN. USA
and more...
The AFTCA, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Radio Systems,Field Trial
Magazine,
Leather Therapy,Wilson Dunn's Supply,The American Field,Pleasant Hill
Productons, Holly Springs Chapter of Quail Unlimited,and the Bird Dog
Museumn supplied gifts and trophys to all the kids entered.
We had kids from 5 to 16 years old. There were kids walking,kids
riding horses and four wheelers showing dogs that ranged in type from
major circuit all age dogs to some really good hunting dogs.
There were games and contests as well as a great barbecue cookout
from
Bobby Mc Alexander.
Every kid got tee shirts,whistles,trophys,snacks,drinks,lunch,dog
collars and caps.
There were prizes of tapes of the National Championship,Leather
Therapy products,books,and Field Trial Magazine for a year.
This event was a major success without a hitch. I heard people say
this is the way field trials should all be. I remember when trials
were more like this one.
One kid got down on all fours to flush some stubborn birds,prompting
Rick Carlisle to comment loudly "that's more effort than we get from
the pro trainers"
One 5 year old kid handled from horseback while his mom lead his
horse. Dad got him down and the little guy flushed and shot with a
CAP
Pistol! He was all grins when he got applause from the crowd.
We will do this again next year. I hope we do this every year.
The Huffman family were tireless and the most gracious hosts.
The one negative according to Jack Huffman was that I gave every kid
a
whistle BEFORE the trial. Jack suggested that next year we would give
the whistles at the end.
I allowed since I have no kids I want EVERY kid to get a whistle
early. What a lovely sound. What a lovely time.
Larry Garner
The AFTCA, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Radio Systems,Field Trial
Magazine,
Leather Therapy,Wilson Dunn's Supply,The American Field,Pleasant Hill
Productons, Holly Springs Chapter of Quail Unlimited,and the Bird Dog
Museumn supplied gifts and trophys to all the kids entered.
We had kids from 5 to 16 years old. There were kids walking,kids
riding horses and four wheelers showing dogs that ranged in type from
major circuit all age dogs to some really good hunting dogs.
There were games and contests as well as a great barbecue cookout
from
Bobby Mc Alexander.
Every kid got tee shirts,whistles,trophys,snacks,drinks,lunch,dog
collars and caps.
There were prizes of tapes of the National Championship,Leather
Therapy products,books,and Field Trial Magazine for a year.
This event was a major success without a hitch. I heard people say
this is the way field trials should all be. I remember when trials
were more like this one.
One kid got down on all fours to flush some stubborn birds,prompting
Rick Carlisle to comment loudly "that's more effort than we get from
the pro trainers"
One 5 year old kid handled from horseback while his mom lead his
horse. Dad got him down and the little guy flushed and shot with a
CAP
Pistol! He was all grins when he got applause from the crowd.
We will do this again next year. I hope we do this every year.
The Huffman family were tireless and the most gracious hosts.
The one negative according to Jack Huffman was that I gave every kid
a
whistle BEFORE the trial. Jack suggested that next year we would give
the whistles at the end.
I allowed since I have no kids I want EVERY kid to get a whistle
early. What a lovely sound. What a lovely time.
Larry Garner
-
Country-Side Breeders
